Singapore looking to Taiwan for food processing equipment

2012/07/16 20:11:33

Taipei, July 16 (CNA) Members of a food manufacturers group in Singapore will soon invite Taiwanese makers of food processing equipment for talks in the city-state in an attempt to source machines that will help them improve their productivity.

The Taiwan External Trade Development Council said Monday that the Singapore Food Manufacturers' Association plans to hold the talks between late July and early August.

Taiwanese manufacturers interested in taking part should provide company profiles and product catalogues to the council's overseas office in Singapore, the council said in a statement.

Singaporean businesses were impressed by Taiwan's automated production techniques during recent food industry exchanges, the council said, and they want to learn more.

The opportunity could be particularly interesting to Taiwanese suppliers because of a US$35 million subsidy program launched by Singapore's government last year that encourages businesses to introduce automated manufacturing processes.

Under the program, businesses are entitled to apply for a subsidy of up to 70 percent of the cost of machines they buy to help automate their operations, the council said.